More than three years ago, Beth Welborn began making plans to open a new business in Downtown Rogers. Having grown up with many entrepreneurs in her family, she and her father, Paul Dubbell, had talked about starting a business together for years. They considered several different options. On Small Business Saturday, November 24, 2018, her dad watched a television news story about the resurgence of independent bookstores. The following Monday he approached her about opening a bookstore. Welborn loved that idea because her mother owned and operated a bookstore in Downtown Rogers when she was a kid. Her mom passed away in 2005, and it didn’t take long for the father daughter team to decide opening their own Downtown Rogers bookstore would be a great way to honor the memory of Pamela Putman Dubbell.

Not long after that first conversation, plans for establishing a locally owned bookstore commenced. In 2019, Welborn participated in a bookstore training course, attended the American Bookseller’s Association annual conference, visited with numerous bookstore owners and learned all she could about the book industry. Through that process, she began to see how her career in marketing and public relations, her experience in starting and running a business with her husband and even her time as a preschool teacher provided her with many of the various skills needed to become a bookstore owner.

In the Fall of 2019, Kelli Roberts with Rogers Land Company became Welborn’s realtor, and they began to look for a place to rent in Downtown Rogers. That process was interrupted by COVID in the Spring of 2020. They began looking again in the Spring of 2021, and finally found the perfect spot. Welborn was thrilled when Michael and Sheila Reese, owners of the storefront at 113 S. 2^nd St., agreed to a lease to open her first bookstore and carry on the family legacy. The pathway and garden that Michael Reese designed and created six years earlier for wife Sheila’s Cooking Studio of Downtown Rogers, and the brick pavers on South Second Street, inspired the new business’ name, Brick Lane.

With business advice and guidance from her father, the renovations by her contractor husband, Sammy, and support for her high school age children, Maddie and Matthew--Welborn was well on her way to making this dream come true. “I’ve been fortunate to have the help of my immediate and extended family and close friends along the way and even now in the store.” Opening day for Welborn’s bookstore was Saturday, October 16, 2021–48 years after her mom first opened her bookstore, The Curiosity Bookstore, less than two blocks away at 108 N 2^nd Street.

When asked if she had any surprises through the planning and opening of the shop, Welborn responded,

“I’ve been surprised to see the excitement in peoples’ faces when they find my bookstore,” she explained. “They are delighted to talk about books, they’ve fallen in love with the garden, and they are so happy to shop local,” she continued. “How wonderful all of that has been!” Welborn continued to explain she has been surprised by how many people from out-of-town visit Downtown Rogers. “As a lifetime Rogers’ resident, it has been fun to welcome new faces and to hear their stories. Rogers is really becoming a popular travel destination!”

Welborn sells new publications including fiction and non-fiction books for people of all ages. They also sell gift items, puzzles, games and art supplies. To sweeten the experience, they offer a variety of cold drinks, including wine by the glass and beer, as well as locally made Pure Joy ice cream. Soon they will be providing a new assortment of packaged snacks and some fresh food items.

The indoor and outdoor space is available for book club meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Welborn is also collaborating with other locally owned businesses to schedule her venue and garden for events and interactive experiences. The 2022 calendar is filling up with store events, book club meetings, live music and private gatherings. A website will be launched soon to provide an online shopping experience and will also be available to reserve the space for private events and making reservations for themed weekend dinner events.  

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